Without having to memorize the Diamond System, a series of numbers that are assigned to the diamonds inlaid in the rail, for making multiple rail bank (kick) shots, the Lineup System, masterminded by the real Fast Eddie (Edward Parker), allows you to easily create 3, 4, and 5 rail bank (kick) shots, like a professional. In 9-Ball, with fewer balls on the table, this knowledge can make you a winner. In 8-Ball, you can have the same success, with eye-popping shots.

Refer to Figures 5, 6 or 7, while reading these instructions. The Initial Lineup for each shot will refer you to 2 particular diamonds. Your Final Lineup will point to the spot on a rail that you have to aim at, to make your 3, 4 or 5 rail shot.

I’ve tried to make these instructions short and concise, but it’s a little difficult to put pictures into words. Stick with it and you’ll be totally satisfied with the results.

Situation: On the following shots, the object ball is located in front of a corner pocket.

3-Rail Bank (kick) Shot - Figure 5

1. Standing at the end of the table where the cue ball and the object ball are, make your Initial Lineup from the center of the opposite corner pocket from where the object ball is located. Use your cuestick to form a line from the center of the corner pocket to the third diamond from the far end of the rail that the object ball is located on. Moving towards the cue ball, make your next lineup by moving your cuestick to the next diamond on each of the 2 rails. Keep doing this until another lineup would take you farther from the cue ball. With the Final Lineup, figure a parallel line from the center of the cue ball, to the edge of the cuestick, towards the long rail. Continue onto the rail where the diamonds are located, and assume there is a diamond at the point where your cuestick is pointing to. This will be your aiming point. Aim through the rail, at the imaginary diamond, and shoot with running english (if the cue ball will be going to the left, use left english). Remember to aim through the rail, and not in front of the imaginary diamond. Your final lineup may be on an actual diamond … still aim through the rail, towards the diamond. You don’t need to shoot hard to make the 3 rails, but you may want a little extra speed depending on where you’d like the cue ball to end up.

4-Rail Bank (kick) Shot - Figure 6

The Initial Lineup is from the short rail diamond nearest the object ball, to the farthest short rail diamond on the other end of the table (the cue ball will be near this end of the table). Use your cuestick, and keep moving to the next diamond on each rail until you reach the Final Lineup. Make a parallel line again, and determine your aiming point on the first rail you’ll hit (short rail). Aim in front of the diamond , or the point you determined. Shoot with running english (left, if the cue ball will be going to the left).

5-Rail Bank (kick) Shot - Figure 7

The Initial Lineup is from the center of the corner pocket at the opposite end of the long rail the object ball is on, to the center of the corner pocket diagonally across the table. Use your cuestick, like before, until you reach your Final Lineup. Aim through the diamond, or the point you determined. Shoot with running english. There is a chance of scratching in the side pocket of the third rail you hit. With experience, you may want to hit with a little more english, or come up the first rail a little (towards you).

Final Note: The condition, or type of cloth will always be a factor in the way the balls roll on the table, so sometimes you’ll make adjustments to your aiming point.

Remember, when you shoot from a short rail to a long rail (3 and 5 rail shots), you shoot through the diamond (or aiming point), and when you shoot from a long rail to a short rail (2 and 4 rail shots), you shoot in front of the diamond (or aiming point).

If one of the pockets end up being the diamond (or aiming point), move up the rail (towards you), and use a little extra running english.

These rules apply to either side of the table … just reverse them.

Here's a form you may want to download ...